[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
Sm,—One is glad that Mr. Behrens has again drawn attention to the grave public scandal implicit in the present system of voting in the University parliamentary elections, a matter which is of added interest in view of election activity in the combined Universities at this moment.
Not only the Convocations of the Combined Universities have recently raised objection to the way in which so-called scrutineers are allowed to make a detailed record of how each individual graduate votes. The Convocation of the University of London, at an exceptionally well-attended meeting on May 12th last year, passed a resolution in favour of applying the principles of the Ballot Act to University elections, despite the determined opposition both of the official "Graduates' Association" (a political caucus) and the present Member for the University.
It is indeed clear that there is widespread opposition among University graduates to the obsolete and objectionable mode of conducting the University polls, and one may perhaps express the hope that now that at last we have three University members in the Commons who are independent of the Party machine (Miss Rathbone, Mr. Herbert and Sir Arthur Salter) they will table a Bill to bestow on their constituents the same right of secrecy of ballot as is enjoyed by all other electors.—
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